Hillfam Safari: Heri ya Krismas!

Here is our funny little Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. I was so excited when I took this picture because the kids were in bed and they had no idea they were getting presents. Family had sent gifts but we had kept them hidden. Saturday they went out and got some little trinkets for each other, so when they went to bed, they each had 2 small things under the tree (and since they knew they were from siblings, they'd be small). Noah only had one, owing to a tantrum Ava threw in a store so she was sent to the car. As he went to bed, Noah said, "I am very thankful I have even one present. I wish all the kids in the

world who got only one or none presents would get 10 more." A sweet sentiment. Then, "And I wish kids who got 2 presents would only get 2 more so that way I'd have 11 presents but Cameron would only have 4." Sigh. So much for altruism, at least this year! Actually, Noah is the most generous of all of them when it comes to gift-giving. He has a good sense of what his brother or sister would like and is a very thoughtful gifter.

Christmas Day arrived, the presents under the tree were a huge surprise and after a cinnamon roll breakfast we settled into a pretty traditional gift opening. Noah is aiming to play on a World Cup soccer team some day so he loved his soccer uniform as well as new legos and a Star Wars encyclopedia. Living in the moment, as he always does, he proclaimed this "the very best Christmas ever!" Amen!

Ava was princessed out, with barbies, a Belle dress and other royal trinkets. She wore her Belle dress most of the day and slept with her new dollies. She is anxiously waiting to try out some craft-y things and has already formed new families with her new Breyer horse.

Cameron is a pre-teen now and realized it at the end of the day when he was looking around for something and said, "Hey, where're all my toys?" It was then he realized...he didn't get any! Then he looked around, saw his new iPod shuffle and very cool messenger bag and said, "Oh, yeah, my iPod!" He was so thrilled to get it and is starting to get some music organized. I remember being his age and thinking the same thing about no toys for a Christmas and feeling a bit "lost" even though I loved what I had been given. He's definitely in the transition to being a teen. He did get a few small things and kept himself busy "helping" Noah with his lego kits.

They all loved getting new books (Star Wars and Xmen and animal encyclopedias and novels) and new movies, so they are not too deprived in those areas!

We spent the afternoon with our neighbors and their family from the States playing games and eating a great ham dinner. The kids all played, watched a movie, then early to bed. Pretty much what we'd do if we were back in Minnesota. We were/are very thankful for the gifts we received from family and friends as well as the blessings we've received this past year.

Hope your Christmas was fun, merry, peaceful, and joyous!